Norwich
East Anglia's flourishing capital, once an important capital for the medieval weaving industry, is still today one of the most prosperous centres outside London. Norwich's old medieval market place still hosts a large bustling market every weekday. Many quaint old cobbled lanes and alleyways, crowded with antique and curio shops lead from the market, and there are several pleasant areas of the city to explore, particularly in the picturesque area of Elm Hill.
Norwich Old Town © TAB
As you walk through the city you will find many interesting buildings, many of which show Dutch influence in the form of ornamental gables. The lovely 15th-c chequered-flint Guildhall, presides next to the market square and on St Andrew's Street is the Strangers' Hall Museum, one of the oldest buildings in Norwich. Nearby, in a little alley off Bedford Street, stands the Bridewell Museum, full of local crafts and industrial heritage. The square keep of Norwich's magnificent pristine Norman castle, rises high above the city on a landscaped hilltop. The castle's keep houses the City Museum and Art Gallery, and includes a large collection of local art and paintings by members of the Norwich School of Painters.
Located
in the historic Art Nouveau 'Royal Arcade' is a Victorian style mustard shop, which includes a small museum run by Colmans, who have been producing mustard in Norwich for over 180 years. Mustard products and related memorabilia are for sale.
Unquestionably the finest building in Norwich is its spectacular cathedral, whose slender tall spire rises high above the water meadows of the River Wensum. The walled 'Cathedral Close' is lined with elegant 18th-c houses, that stretch down to the river where the picturesque 16th-c Pull's Ferry house and the Old Inn stand; much photographed and portrayed in local paintings. In addition to the great Norman cathedral, Norwich has a Roman Catholic cathedral and no less than 32 medieval churches. Parts of the old medieval town walls are also still visible on the outskirts of the town.
The city is not just full of historic sights, it has a vibrant nightlife, sophisticated shopping facilities and many top class restaurants. With its preserved historic buildings and wide range of high street stores, designer brands and specialist shops, Norwich was recently been voted one of the top 10 places to shop in the UK.
Tourist Information Centre: |
The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich NR2 1TF - Tel: 01603 213999 |
Places of interest to visit in Norwich
Air Defence Radar Museum
Located in an original 1942 Radar Operations building. Contains a series of historical operations rooms, including a 1940s Battle of Britain Room, 1942 Blitz Operations Room and Cold War Operations Room. The museum also has exhibits on air intelligence photography, radar development, space defence, air defence missiles and Mobile Radar Vehicles. Interactive guided tours are available.
Opening times: Apr to Oct: Tue, Thur & BH Mon 10am - 5pm Admission Charge
Location: RAF Neatishead NR12 8YB (sign posted from A1062 at Horning) Tel: 01692 631485 Website
The Bridewell
A flint faced, 14th-c merchant's house, once used
as a prison (1583 - 1828). The house now accommodates
a fascinating museum that tells the story of Norwich's
industrial heritage over the last 200 years. Exhibits
include local shoe and boot manufacture, a reconstructed
1930s pharmacy, blacksmith and pawnbrokers shop. Also
included is an exhibition covering the history of Norwich
City FC.
Opening times: Apr to Oct: Tue-Fri 10am - 4.30pm; Sat 10am - 5pm (School hols, Mon-Sat 10-5) Admission Charge
Location: Bridewell Alley, Norwich city centre.
NR2 lAQ Tel: 01603 629127 - Website
Norwich Castle Museum
Built in the 12th-c, the Castle keep contains a
museum with displays of natural history, archaeology,
Lowestoft porcelain, ceramic teapots and Norwich silver.
The art gallery contains a fine collection of pictures
by John Sell Cotman and John Crome, members of the
'Norwich School of Painters' who flourished in the
last century.
Guided tours are provided of the dungeons and battlements.
Opening times: all year, Mon-Fri 10-4.30, Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5; School hols, Mon-
Sat 10-5.30, Sun 1-5 Admission Charge
Location: Castle Meadow, Norwich city centre. NRl 3JU Tel: 01603 493625 Website
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage
for over a 1000 years. The cathedral has one of the
highest spires, and the largest monastic cloister,
in Britain. The cathedral dates from Norman times and
contains the oldest bishop's throne still in used.
The nave has one of the finest interiors in the country.
The 800 carved medieval roof bosses, painted with Biblical
scenes and grotesque creatures, are in themselves a
sight worth seeing. Work on the cathedral began in
1069 and continued for half a century. Two medieval
gates (Ethelbert - 1272 and Erpingham - 1420) lead
into the cathedral precincts. Inside which stands the
old Norwich School, founded in 1316, where Horatio
Nelson was once a pupil.
Opening times: daily 7.30am - 7pm Donations accepted
Location: The Close, Norwich city centre. NRl
4DH Tel: 01603 218300 - Website
Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum
Tell the story of the social and military history of the Norfolk regiment from 1685 onwards, using audiovisual displays and graphics.
Opening times: School term-time & Xmas hols: Tue-Fri 10-4.30, Sat 10-5;
School half-terms, Easter & Summer hols: Mon-Sat 10-5 Admission Charge
Location: Shirehall, Market Avenue NRl 3JQ (next
to Castle Museum) Tel: 01603 493649 - Website
Strangers' Hall Museum
A historically preserved medieval merchant's house. Many of the rooms are furnished in the style of different period, depicting domestic life, from Tudor to Victorian.
Opening times: Wed to Sat 10.30am - 4pm
Admission Charge
Location: St Andrew's Street, Norwich NR2 4AL
Tel: 01603 493625
Map of Norwich
East of England
